Springfield Standard

Missouri State University's volleyball team is set to begin a four-match home stand with two games against New Mexico State this weekend at Hammons Student Center in Springfield, Missouri. The first match is scheduled for Friday, October 17 at 6 p.m., followed by a second match on Saturday, October 18 at 1 p.m.

Missouri State enters the weekend with a 6-11 overall record and a 1-5 mark in Conference USA, while New Mexico State holds an 11-8 overall record and is 4-2 in conference play. The Bears have a historical advantage in the series, leading 8-3. However, the two teams have played only once since 1997, with New Mexico State winning 3-0 in Salt Lake City in 2014. The last time New Mexico State visited Springfield was in 1983, when Missouri State won 3-1.

The Missouri State roster in 2025 is notably young, with seven freshmen and six sophomores among its 18 players. All seven Missouri natives on the squad come from within 75 miles of the MSU campus. Freshmen have played a significant role this season, accounting for 46 percent of the team's kills. Peyton McKee leads the team with 172 kills and has an average of 3.02 kills per set. McKee was named Conference USA Freshman of the Week on September 8. Another freshman, Hannah Gardner, has 90 kills, 236 assists, and 131 digs. Gardner also became the first freshman in school history to record a triple-double with 13 kills, 22 assists, and 10 digs in a match against UTSA on September 5.

Missouri State ranks fourth in Conference USA and 71st nationally with an average of 2.42 blocks per set. Lizanyela Lopez and Grace Smith are among the league's individual leaders in blocks, ranking second and fourth respectively. Each has recorded a match with 11 blocks this season. As a team, Missouri State has achieved at least 10 blocks in seven matches this year.

In recent years, Missouri State has consistently ranked among the top programs in total digs nationally, finishing as high as fourth in 2024 and tenth in 2020-21. For the current season, the Bears are second in Conference USA and 95th nationally with an average of 14.82 digs per set.

The Bears have also been strong in serving, posting the top five ace averages since the beginning of the 25-point scoring era over the past five seasons. Under head coach Steven McRoberts, Missouri State has averaged at least 1.24 aces per set each season, including 1.44 so far in 2025.

This year marks Missouri State's first season in Conference USA after spending 33 years in the Missouri Valley Conference, where the program achieved a .652 winning percentage.

Head coach Steven McRoberts is in his sixth season at Missouri State and his 29th overall as a head coach. He has accumulated 663 career victories, which places him ninth among active Division I coaches. "Coach Mac is no stranger to Conference USA, with a 45-11 career record in league matches. As Tulsa's head coach from 2011-13, McRoberts won two regular season titles, one tournament championship and the 2011 CUSA Coach of the Year award," according to the release.

The staff also includes first-year assistant coach Lori Endicott-Vandersnick, who helped Team USA to a bronze medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and was named best setter at those Games. "First-year Missouri State assistant coach Lori Endicott-Vandersnick helped Team USA to a bronze medal in volleyball at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and was named the best setter at the '92 Games."

Missouri State is encouraging fans to attend both matches this weekend. Friday's match will feature "Gilmore Girls Night" and a coffee bar, while Saturday's match is themed "Stay & Serve."